Rest In Peace, Chuck Brown

May 17, 2012

As many may now know, “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown passed away yesterday in Baltimore at the age of 75. Having been a staple to DC music culture for decades now, go-go was founded by the singer-songwriter and musician as a response to disco in the mid 70′s. The funky dance music was dubbed go-go by Brown due to its non-stop energetic nature that keeps ‘going and going.’

The magnetic performer naturally became focal to the go-go movement and quickly became a local celebrity as the genre cemented its place as a source of pride for DC folks.

“Bustin’ Loose” was the song that put go-go on the map nationally, spending four weeks at the top of R&B charts in 1978. Other local hits included “We Need Some Money,” “Go-Go Swing,” and “Run Joe.”

Chuck and his contributions to the world of funk will not be forgotten. And indeed, go-go will most definitely live on.